I’ll doubtless have more to say on the credit crisis, and perhaps on whether private ownership of sporting teams is a sustainable model for Australia. But for now I’d just like to say thanks to the players and staff of the Bullets for providing me and my family with lots of fun and excitement over the years I’ve lived here in Brisbane, particularly in their last championship season 2006-07.

Perhaps the Bullets demise will trigger an investigation into the sustainability of the NBL’s business model into the future.

I for one can’t understand why the league persists with a season that begins during footy finals, and finished when footy season begins again (when it is arguably more popular). This is a major reason as to why the NBL can’t secure free-to-air TV rights or consistent major sponsorship, which in turn impacts on its profitability and allure as a business opportunity.

I’m not saying this is the be-all and end-all of owning an NBL franchise (i think basketball is small enough for community involvement to have a significant role), but it surely plays a part when would-be investors do their due dilligence.

Rucker was great and unlucky never to be in a championship side. In addition to your list, Larry Sengstock was a big star in the early days (before I followed NBL). Overall, it’s hard to go past Leapin’ Leroy.

In relation to the Bullets, I think we could say “the unsustainable has run its course”. Australia simply does not have the base to support so many professional teams in so many professional sports as it does now. After all, we have Rugby League, Rugby Union, AFL, Soccer, Basketball, Cricket and Netball to name perhaps the main ones.

With the soon to come economic crash, economic austerity and even “long emergency”, as Kunstler predicts it, there will simply be no time or money for the fripperies of paying over-specialised people (tall, heavy, strong etc) to belt balls or each other and call it sport.

Having said that, I will watch the “Origin” tonight. It’s always fun watching NSW get belted! I have as many atavistic impulses as the next person.

And I might add, I was from the first astonished by the naivity of the Sydney Kings (I think it was) and Western Force (Rugby Union) accepting Firepower as a sponser. That chicken has come home to roost now of course.

It was always obvious (to anyone who knew basic physics, basic chemistry and basic business practice straight and crooked) that Firepower was based on a totally shonky premise, namely the “magic pill” that would improve power and economy from fuel. Good grief! Do people still fall for that?